Spraying apparatus



March l, 1955 E. o. NoRRls SPRAYING APPARATUS 3 sheets-sheet 1 Filed June 23, 1953 III Il HIIIIIIII INVENToR. vw/Mw 0. /i/afQ/e/S March 1, 1955 E.`o. NoRRls SPRAYING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 23, 1953 TTORNE Y March 1, 1955 E. o. NQRRIS SPRAYING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed' June 2s, 195s United States PatentO M This invention relates to spraying apparatus of the centrifugal type and more particularly to a centrifugal sprayer having a rotary distributor adapted to project a sprayable material from its periphery in the form of a finely divided spray.

An object of the invention is to provide a distributor of the above type having novel and improved operating.

characteristics.

Another object is to provide a centrifugal spray gun of the all-position type having no stationary external surfaces on which the spray material can collect.

Another object is to provide a centrifugal spray gun 2,703,257 Patented Mar. 1, 1955 a rotary case 85 having an outer flange 86 forming an annular channel 87 adapted to receive the spray material and to cause the material to form an annular lm in the channel 87 due to centrifugal action as the case 8S is rotated at high speed. The iiange 86 has a central opening 88 through which the spray passes and a sharp edge 89 for conning the spray to a well defined path. The

l shaped outer surface 95 to throw case 85 is shown as made in two parts bolted together by bolts 90, and with an annular lip 91 to cause the material to ow into the channel 87. It may, however, be made in one piece if desired.

The outer surface of the housing 80 is shown as provided with annular grooves 92 and the case 85 carries an annular ange 93 having a surface 94 which extends over the grooves 92 to form a liquid seal, and with a coneoutwardly any spray material that hits or settles on the same. The iiange 93 is also secured by the bolts 90.

The housing 80 is formed with an enlarged end flange 98 to which a gear case 99 is bolted by bolts 100. One

` end of the shaft 82 projects into the gear case 99 and of the above type which is adapted to project a spray i in a substantially axial direction.

Varlous other objects and advantages will be apparent as the nature of the invention is more fully disclosed.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 287,789, filed May 14, 1952, on Spraying Apparatus.

The spray gun embodying the present invention is of the type having a case which rotates at a speed to maintain centrifugally a film of the spray material around its entire periphery. A rotary distributor is supported to rotate freely about a fixed axis within the rotary case and is provided at its periphery with fins which dip into the hlm of spray material within the rotating case, and are driven thereby to cause the distributor to rotate at a speed to pick up and discharge the spray material centrifugally. The distributor is mounted on a fixed but adjustable bracket within the rotary case and is positioned for the discharge of the spray through the open end of the case. The relationship between the axis of the distributor and the axis of the rotating case depends upon the contour of the ns. In one embodiment the fins are shown as annular with the distributor mounted to rotate about an axis which is slightly inclined with respect to the axis of the rotary case. In another embodiment the fins are shown as helically inclined, similar to turbine blades and the distributor as mounted to rotate about an axis which is normal to the axis of the rotary case but oset with respect thereto so that the spray is disj charged substantially axially of the case.

The nature of the invention will be better understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which specific embodiments have been set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through a spray gun embodying the present invention;

t Fig. 2 is a partial sideelevation of a spray gun illustrating a further embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the spray gun of Fig. 2 taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2 but on a larger scale;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 showing the. mounting for the distributor; t

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view showing the relation of the distributor to the rotary case;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view of a distributor vane; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing the mounting for the distributor bracket, taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 3.

Referring t`o the drawings, the spray gun of Fig. 1 is shown as having a fixed `housing formed with an internal bore S1 in which a hollow shaft 82 is journalled by ball bearings 83 and 84. The hollow shaft 82 carries carries a gear 101 which is secured by a nut 102. The

gear 101 meshes with a gear 103 carried on a shaft 104 which is journaled by ball bearings 105 in a bushing 106. This bushing is held in a boss 107 in a wall 108 of the gear case by set screws 109. The end of the shaft 104 projects into a coupling 110 and is adapted to be coupled to a driving shaft (not shown) by which the rotary case 85 is driven.

A stationary shaft 112 extends through the hollow shaft 82 and through a boss 113 in the wall 108. The stationary shaft 112 is clamped in the boss 113 by a flange 114 -on the shaft 112 and a nut 115 threaded onto the shaft 112.

A bracket 115a is attached to the end of the shaft 112 within the rotary case and is attached by a screw 116. The bracket a carries a hollow stud 117 in which the hub 118 of a distributor 119 is journaled by ball bearings 120. The distributor 119 is formed with a cone-shaped liange 120a carrying fins 121 terminating in a conical surface and with an inner iiange 122 extending over the stud 117 to shield the same from the spray. A pin 123 secures the distributor 119 to the hub 118 and is arranged to permit removal or replacement of the distributor.

The fins 121 are positioned to dip into the peripheral film of spray material in the channel 87 and are driven thereby to pick up material from the advancing film and to discharge the same as a fine spray. The distributor is mounted with its axis inclined to the axis of the case 85 so that the fins 121 rotate in a plane which extends through the central opening in the case 85. Hence a portion of the spray from the distributor passes through this opening and the remainder is intercepted by the walls of the case 85 and returned to the peripheral film therein for respraying. In this way all of the material fed to the case 85 is eventually sprayed outwardly in a directed confined spray path. The axis of the distributor may also be tilted with respect to the diametrical plane through the case which contains such distributor so that the peripheral edges of the fins 121 intercept the film in the case 85 at an angle to the direction of movement of the film at the point of interception, so as to avoid forming grooved areas in said film and also so as to agitate the film and prevent stratification thereof due to centrifugal separation.

The stationary shaft 112 is formed with an axial bore 125 communicating with radical bore 126 in the bracket 115a which in turn communicates with a bore 127 opening at 129 into the case 85 opposite an annular groove 129 therein for feeding spray material to the case 85. A coupling 130 is provided on the end of the stationary shaft'112 to receive a hose or pipe carrying spray material under a pressure to force the same through said bores into the rotary case 85. A flange 132 and groove 133 on the bracket 115 and in the case 85 provides a vseal to permit spray material entering the space between -l into the rotating4 case 8 5 where it forms an annular film in the channel 87 from which it is picked up and discharged'as an atomized spray bythe fins 121 of the distributor 119 which is driven at high speed by the rotating film into which it dips. The spray is thus thrown out of 'the opening 88 in the rotating case 85 along a well defined path. The spray from the distributor which is intercepted by the case 85 returns to the peripheral film for resprayingv until all of the material fed to the ease has been sprayed.

Referring to the embodiment of Figs, 2 to 8 the housing 80 and associated parts, including the gear drive, are similar to those above described. In this embodiment a hollow shaft is mounted to rotate in bearings 1,1 within the housing 80. The shaft 10 carries a rotating case 12 which is generally similar to the case 85 of Fig'. 1 and the inner surface o f which has a concave peripheral wall forming a channel to receive a film 13'of the spray material.V The case 12 terminates in a flange 14 having a sharp edge 15 defining an axial opening through which the spray is ejected. A baille ring 16 having a pair of inwardly projecting flanges 17 and 18 is disposed on a shoulder 19 formed in the case 1,2 near the open end thereof. The flanges 17 and 18 project inwardly and terminate in sharp edges to form a cut off for the spray cone.

In order to return to the case 12 any spray material that may collect on the flanges 17 and 18, the baffle ring 16 is provided with a row of peripherally spaced outwardly inclined passages 20 and with holes 21 which extend into said passages from the inner face of the ring 16. The holes 21 and the passages 20 are so formed that the sprayed material is returned by centrifugal force into the interior of the case 12. A skirt 40, carried by the case 12, shields the housing 80 and bearing 11 from the sprayed material.

A st ationary shaft 22 corresponding to the shaft 112. of Fig. 1 having a bore 23 is disposed within the hollow shaft 10. The shaft 22 is provided near its forward end with helical grooves 24 which are inclined in a direction tg prevent material from feeding upwardly along said s a t.

A hollow pin 25 is threaded into the forward end of the shaft 22. The pin 25 has a bore 26 communicating with the bore 23 of the shaft 22. A hollow ring 2 7 carrying a feed spout 28 is seated on the pin 25.r The spout 28 communicates through the hollow ring 27 and a passage 29 with the bore 26 of the pin 25, and is provided with a discharge end 30 which is disposed adjacent the film 13 of spray material in the rotary case 12 and extends in the direction of rotation ofl the case so that material is fed to the case in the direction of the moving film 13. A bushing 31, disposed on the pin 25 carries a bracket 32 terminating in a pin 33 on which the distributor 34 is journaled. A flange 35 is disposed on the pin 2 5 between the bushing 31 and the end of the shaftl 22. The flange 35 has an annular groove 36 in which an annular flange 37 of thel case 12 is disposed to prevent the spray in the case 12 from feeding into the space, between the stationary shaft 22 and the rotating shaft 10. A packing material 38, such as soft metal, is disposed between the outer surface of the flange 35 and the inner surface of the rotating shaft 10 to effect a further seal. The bushing 31 is fixed to the flange 35 by a pin 5,4 and the flange 35 is'xed to the shaftl22'by apin 5 5 so asV tiov fix the position of the4 distributor; 34 with respeptrto the stationary' shaft22. Tho difrbutor position can. bo, adjusted by adjusting the angular position of the shaft 2 2. The'ring 27 and bushing 31`are provided with contacting conical surfaces which4 are clamped together between theY head 39 of the pin 3:5 and theend' of 'the stationary shaft- 2,2. VThus they relative positions of,` theV brac ket 32 andthe spout 28 can be'adjustecl byv loosening the pin 25. Thepin 33 (Fig. 5) carries a bushing 4 1fon which is journaled a hub.` 42 of' the rotary distributor 34 having a sot f helicall'y inoliod'ils. 44 disposed and arranged. in

a`manner similar to turbine blades andn mounted to, dip into the moving film 13 within the case 1 2. The fins 44 are shown asV coated with a thin coating 45 of flame coated tungsten carbidel or similar hardI material which has a rough outer surface. The hard coating, increases the life of the fins and the rough surface thereof irnp'roves their pick-up and` spraying characteristics. A thrust bearing 47 is disposed` between the end of the pin sandihe 11111142.,

'A split'irig 48 is disposed in a groove 49 ofthe hub 42 and engages the end of the bushing 41 to hold the distributofo the pin 33. The bracket 32 is provided with an axial flange 50 running in an angular recess 51 in the distributor 34 to shield the bearing surface from the spray material.

The fins 44 as shown are provided with sharp edges 52 on the side engaged by the advancing film 13. This edge 52 dips into the film and causes a quantity of the material therefrom to be picked up on the leading surface of the fin from which it is discharged centrifugally as the distributor rotates. In this embodiment the bracket 32 is adjusted by suitable manipulation of the bushing 31 so that the distributor rotates about an axis which is substantially normal to the axis of the shaft 10. The helical contour of the fins 44 which dip into the advancing film 13 causes the distributor to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as seen in Fig. 4. Material from the film 13 is thus scooped up by the fins 44 and discharged centrifugally as a Spray cone 53.

In the form shown the flange 17 constitutes a cut off for the outer edge of the spray cone, that is the lefthand edge as seen in Fig. 4, and the flange 18 constitutes a eut off for the opposite edge. The two flanges are provided because the tangents to the rotating distributor at the two edges of the cone extend at different angles with respect to the axis of the shaft 10. In this way the spray cone is centered with respect to the spray opening in the rotary case.

The distributor is so designed that the periphery thereof is substantially tangent to the axis of the shaft 10 so that the cone of spray 53 is projected axially of this shaft and outwardly through the opening in the end of the case 12,.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been shown f or purposes of illustration it is to be understood that the invention may be applied to various uses and that changes and modifications thereof may be made as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

l. A spraying device comprising a rotary case having an axial spray opening and a concave peripheral wall forming a channel to retain a spray-forming material, driving means including a hollow shaft for rotating said case to form centrifugally an annular film of said material in said channel, a fixed shaft disposed within said hollow shaft and extending axially into said rotary case, a bracket mounted on said fixed shaft within said rotary case, a rotary distributor mounted for free rotation on said bracket and so disposed thatl its periphery dips into said film of material and is driven thereby, said distributor rotating in a plane which extends through said axial spray opening.

2. A spraying d evice comprising a rotary case having an axial spray opening and a concave peripheral wall forming al channel to retain a spray-forming material, driving means including a hollow shaft for rotating said case to form centrifugally an annular film of said material in said channel, a fixed shaft disposed within said hollow shaft and extending axially into said rotary case, a bracket mounted on said fixed shaft within said rotary case, a rotary distributor mounted for free rotation on said bracket and so disposed that its periphery dips into said film 0 f material and is driven thereby, said distributor rotating in a plane which extends throughv said axial spray opening,Y and means for adjusting the position of said bracketl for thereby adjusting the relationship between said distributor andj said case.

3- A Spraying device.. Comprising aV rotary caso having an axial Spray opening and a concave Peripheral wall forming a channel to retain a spray-forming material, driving means including av hollow shaft for rotating said case to form centrifugally an annular film of said material in saidv channel, afixed shaft disposed within saidl hollow shaft and extending axially into saidrotary case, a bracket mounted on said fixed, shaft within said, rotary case, a rotary distributor mounted for rotation on said bracket and so disposed that its, periphery dips into said film of material and is driven thereby, said distributor rotating in a plane which extends through said axial spray opening, said fixed shaft having an axial passage through which said spray-forming material` is fed for spraying.

4. A sprayingdevice comprising a rotary case having an, axial. Spray 'opening anda conoaye peripheral wall.

forming a, Qhannl. to, Aretain a Spray-forming material,

driving means including a hollow shaft forrotating said' ease to form centrifugally an annular iilm of said material in said channel, a lixed shaft disposed within said hollow shaft and extending axially into said rotary case, a bracket mounted on said fixed shaft within said rotary case, a rotary distributor mounted for rotation on said bracket and so disposed that its periphery dips into said film of material and is driven thereby, said distributor rotating in a plane which extends through said axial spray opening, said fixed shaft having an axial passage through which said spray-forming material is fed, and a discharge spout disposed in said rotary case and communicating with said passage for discharging said material into said case, said discharge spout having an end disposed adjacent said annular film and extending in the direction of movement of said film.

5. In a spraying apparatus, a rotary collecting case having an annular peripheral wall forming a channel for receiving a spray-forming material and having an axial spray-opening, means supplying a spray-forming material to said case, means driving said case to cause the material to form a rotating peripheral layer on said wall, a distributor comprising a rotor having helically disposed fins extending substantially radially from the periphery thereof, means rotatably mounting said rotor in said case with the peripheral edges of said fins dipping into said peripheral layer of material whereby the tins pick-up and are driven by said material, the plane of rotation of said rotor intersecting said spray opening whereby the material which is discharged centrifugally from said tins is projected outwardly through said spray opening.

A spraying apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which said fins are formed with a sharp edge on the side which dips into the advancing film of spray-forming material.

7. In a spraying apparatus, a rotary collecting case having an annular peripheral wall forming a channel for receiving a spray-forming material and having an axial spray-opening, means supplying a spray-forming material to said case, means driving said case to cause the material to form a rotating peripheral layer on said wall, a distributor comprising a rotor having helically disposed tins extending substantially radially from the periphery thereof, means rotatably mounting said rotor in said case with the peripheral edges of said fins dipping into said peripheral layer of material whereby the tins pick-up and are driven by said material, said rotor being mounted with its axis of rotation substantially normal to the axs of rotation of said case, the plane of rotation of said rotor intersecting said spray opening whereby the material which is discharged centrifugally from said fins is projected outwardly through said spray opening.

S. In a spraying apparatus, a rotary collecting case having an annular peripheral wall forming a channel for receiving a sprayforming material and having an axial spray opening, means supplying a spray-forming material to said case, means driving said case to cause the material to form a rotating peripheral layer on said wall, a distributor` comprising a rotor having peripheral tins, means rotatably mounting said rotor in said case with said fins dipping into said peripheral layer of material whereby the fins pick up and are driven by said material, said tins having a rough surface coating of a hard material to improve the pick-up and wear characteristics thereof, the plane of rotation of said rotor intersecting said spray opening whereby the material which is discharged centrifugally from said ins is projected outwardly through said spray opening.

9. In a spraying apparatus, a rotary collecting case having an annular peripheral wall forming a channel for receiving a spray-forming material and having an axial `spray opening, means supplying a spray-forming material to said case, means driving said case to cause the material to form a rotating peripheral layer on said wall, a distributor comprising a rotor having peripheral fins, means rotatably mounting said rotor in said case with said ns dipping into said peripheral layer of material whereby the ns pick-up and are driven by said material, said tins having a rough surface coating of tungsten carbide to improve the pick-up and Wear characteristics thereof, the plane of rotation of said rotor intersecting said spray opening whereby the material which is discharged centrifugally from said fins is projected outwardly through said spray opening.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 19,374 Butterworth Nov. 20, 1934 2,545,487 Norris Mar. 20, 1951 2,550,714 Norris May l, 1951 

